University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Tuesdays With Mark Hudspeth - July 6, 2017
7/6/2017 10:41:00 AM | Football
Weekly question and answer session with head coach Mark Hudspeth heading into next month's fall camp
This is the third of a weekly feature with Louisiana head football coach Mark Hudspeth as the Ragin' Cajuns prepare for fall camp, which starts on July 30. With this past Tuesday being Independence Day, we moved this week's edition to Thursday and will return to the normal schedule on July 11.
1.) We talked last week about the addition of Will Hall as offensive coordinator, but you will also start the 2017 season with a different defensive coordinator in Mike Lucas. Since taking over the defensive side of the ball for the majority of last year, what has be meant to the staff and what expectations do you have for the defense in 2017? - "I don't feel as though we have a new coordinator. Although he didn't begin the season as the defensive coordinator in 2016, having the opportunity to mold his players and implement his schemes as the year progressed put us way ahead than if he didn't begin until January. He and (co-Defensive Coordinator) Charlie Harbison have worked really well together and I have a lot of faith in Mike and the defensive staff. We improved tremendously as the season went along and ended up as one of the best defenses in the Sun Belt Conference. I feel as though 2017 can even be better. We have lots of returning starters and have improved our depth."
2.) There were a lot of young players on the defensive side of the ball last season with true freshman Damar'ren Mitchell earning a starting spot. What progress did you see from him in the fall and where does he fit on the depth chart this season? - "Damar'ren was one of few freshmen that can come in and play at the level he was able to play at last year. He moved to corner this spring, and will go into camp as one of the starters. He will be fun for the fans to watch in the next three years."
3.) The return game last year relied on Raymond Calais, Elijah McGuire and Levarious Varnado for much of the season. How do you see that area progressing in 2017 and do you see anybody else who will contribute as either a punt or kick returner? - "I feel that we have some outstanding kick and punt returners for 2017. Raymond Calais was already doing a great job until he was injured last season. Ryheem Malone demonstrated in the spring that he can be a game changer as a punt returner. Levarious Varnado also returns and had a good season last year. He is very dependable. We have a lot of weapons to choose from and have recruited some difference makers."
4.) There were a lot of good kickers in the Sun Belt Conference last season, but this year you are expected to have probably the top one in the league in Stevie Artigue. What has been his approach to kicking since arriving two years ago, and what things are you expecting from him in 2017? - Stevie's commitment to his training and his competitiveness are two of his best assets that contribute to his success. His numbers speak themselves, but the part of his game that goes unnoticed is his accuracy and leg strength on kickoffs. He will be a weapon for us this fall. He will be the first to tell you that his best football is still ahead of him."
5.) Every young coach has someone they try to emulate when coming up in the ranks. Who were some of the coaches (high school, college, professional) that you looked up to when you first started in the profession? - "There were many coaches I looked up to that help shape me and my career. I had tremendous high school coaches that had a huge influence on me. Robert Herring, Bud Turner, Ronnie Ware, Robert Blunt and Les Triplet were coaches that were the most encouraging and pushed me to be my best. My high school, Winston Academy, has a strong football tradition winning six state championships. I was very fortunate to have a part in three of them. In college, Steve Campbell, Clifton Ealy, Mike Isom, Bill Keopple, Rick Rhodes and Charlie Weatherbie all were very influential to me as a young coach in the profession. I am very thankful for each opportunity I was given by each."
6.) Extra Point: With Tuesday being Independence Day, what does July 4th mean to you and what is the importance of being with family for you and your staff? - "I love coaching football, developing young men and helping them mature and see them become successful. In saying that, I'm very thankful to live in a country that has opportunities like I have and opportunities for young men to be successful if they work hard. I am very thankful for our men and women that serve in our nations military and work hard everyday as first responders. The Fourth of July is always family time for us. We usually spend it on the boat at the beach, trying to spend as much time with each other as we can before the season starts."
Week 2 - June 27
Week 1 - June 20
1.) We talked last week about the addition of Will Hall as offensive coordinator, but you will also start the 2017 season with a different defensive coordinator in Mike Lucas. Since taking over the defensive side of the ball for the majority of last year, what has be meant to the staff and what expectations do you have for the defense in 2017? - "I don't feel as though we have a new coordinator. Although he didn't begin the season as the defensive coordinator in 2016, having the opportunity to mold his players and implement his schemes as the year progressed put us way ahead than if he didn't begin until January. He and (co-Defensive Coordinator) Charlie Harbison have worked really well together and I have a lot of faith in Mike and the defensive staff. We improved tremendously as the season went along and ended up as one of the best defenses in the Sun Belt Conference. I feel as though 2017 can even be better. We have lots of returning starters and have improved our depth."
2.) There were a lot of young players on the defensive side of the ball last season with true freshman Damar'ren Mitchell earning a starting spot. What progress did you see from him in the fall and where does he fit on the depth chart this season? - "Damar'ren was one of few freshmen that can come in and play at the level he was able to play at last year. He moved to corner this spring, and will go into camp as one of the starters. He will be fun for the fans to watch in the next three years."
3.) The return game last year relied on Raymond Calais, Elijah McGuire and Levarious Varnado for much of the season. How do you see that area progressing in 2017 and do you see anybody else who will contribute as either a punt or kick returner? - "I feel that we have some outstanding kick and punt returners for 2017. Raymond Calais was already doing a great job until he was injured last season. Ryheem Malone demonstrated in the spring that he can be a game changer as a punt returner. Levarious Varnado also returns and had a good season last year. He is very dependable. We have a lot of weapons to choose from and have recruited some difference makers."
4.) There were a lot of good kickers in the Sun Belt Conference last season, but this year you are expected to have probably the top one in the league in Stevie Artigue. What has been his approach to kicking since arriving two years ago, and what things are you expecting from him in 2017? - Stevie's commitment to his training and his competitiveness are two of his best assets that contribute to his success. His numbers speak themselves, but the part of his game that goes unnoticed is his accuracy and leg strength on kickoffs. He will be a weapon for us this fall. He will be the first to tell you that his best football is still ahead of him."
5.) Every young coach has someone they try to emulate when coming up in the ranks. Who were some of the coaches (high school, college, professional) that you looked up to when you first started in the profession? - "There were many coaches I looked up to that help shape me and my career. I had tremendous high school coaches that had a huge influence on me. Robert Herring, Bud Turner, Ronnie Ware, Robert Blunt and Les Triplet were coaches that were the most encouraging and pushed me to be my best. My high school, Winston Academy, has a strong football tradition winning six state championships. I was very fortunate to have a part in three of them. In college, Steve Campbell, Clifton Ealy, Mike Isom, Bill Keopple, Rick Rhodes and Charlie Weatherbie all were very influential to me as a young coach in the profession. I am very thankful for each opportunity I was given by each."
6.) Extra Point: With Tuesday being Independence Day, what does July 4th mean to you and what is the importance of being with family for you and your staff? - "I love coaching football, developing young men and helping them mature and see them become successful. In saying that, I'm very thankful to live in a country that has opportunities like I have and opportunities for young men to be successful if they work hard. I am very thankful for our men and women that serve in our nations military and work hard everyday as first responders. The Fourth of July is always family time for us. We usually spend it on the boat at the beach, trying to spend as much time with each other as we can before the season starts."
Week 2 - June 27
Week 1 - June 20
Players Mentioned
K
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ FootballMichael Desormeaux Media Availability (Nov 3, 2025)
Monday, November 03
Michael Desormeaux Media Availability (Oct 27, 2025)
Monday, October 27
Michael Desormeaux Media Availability (Oct 20, 2025)
Monday, October 20
Jaden Dugger Media Availability (Oct 18, 2025)
Sunday, October 19
